No Pacific cruise for Caleo murder accused

A man accused of organising the murders of his wife and brother-in-law will no longer be able to go on a two-week cruise around the Pacific while on bail, a Sydney court has heard.

Mark Richard Caleo, 53, is accused of murder and soliciting to murder Rita Caleo in 1990 and her brother Dr Michael Chye in 1989.

They were allegedly killed by a hit man in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

Caleo was granted bail last November with conditions including surrendering his passport.

But last month he successfully applied to Magistrate John Andrews to have his bail conditions amended so he could go on an overseas cruise at Christmas with his family.

At Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, the prosecution successfully sought to overturn the bail changes because of fresh concerns Caleo is a flight risk and issues regarding the protection of overseas witnesses.

"NSW police believe that these witnesses could be endangered by Mr Caleo being allowed to travel overseas," prosecutor Victoria Garrity said.

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Caleo's lawyer denied the suggestions, saying his client is fixed to Australia and has no intention of fleeing or interfering with any witnesses.

When overturning the original bail variation that would have allowed Caleo to travel, Mr Andrews said it was "unfortunate" that the application came at a time when Caleo had an expectation he could go on the non-refundable trip.

Mr Andrews also said the long committal procedures had effectively been "blown out" by the extradition of the co-accused.

Alani Afu, 49, accused of the stabbing murder of Rita Caleo, was extradited from Tonga by NSW police in September.

He appeared briefly via audio-visual link on Tuesday during a police application for a forensic procedure. It will be heard at a future date.